Spend my $8,000 pt. 2

Mimberman, "Aesthtix Janus (tube--too warm?)" Not a chance. Aesthetix is some of the best sounding front end equipment I have ever heard. That is why I own a Rhea and Calypso. It has all the "tube sound" advantages and none of the detriments. It is one of the least "old tube" sounding tube systems I know. Sorry I can't answer the Janus question directly as I too have never compared it head to head with Jim Whites other fine gear. With Totems and a VPI you have an excellent base. Be sure to match an amp(s) that have great synergy with the speakers. No other part of the Hifi needs to be as well matched, beyond maybe the TT/tonearm/cartridge pairing IMHO. LOL

I agree that some have had some tube noise problems with the Aesthetix. Not me, or two of my immediate friends. Yet I realize by the threads of A'gon that it exists. Both Stereophile and The Absolute Sound have recently reviewed these units and list them as recommended or editors choice components if you take any stock in that kind of thing. And yes I agree that if you went the extra mile to buy separates in the long run you would not be disappointed. As for amps... I'm not full of answers given your budget. Maybe a pair of used Atma-Sphere M60's and the Aesthetix (used) could be the trick. I have Atma-Sphere OTL's and I swear by them. I'm not sure what would be the best match for the Totems and can't remember for the life of me what I heard them with. I also agree... to trust your ears in the final analysis. Cheers!

To answer your query, my friends us Atma-Sphere or other tube gear with their Aesthetix. It's not a requirement but rather a choice. I understand your like of SS to do the power end of the scenario and see nothing wrong with that. There are a lot of great SS amps out there. If it hadn't been for a number of events coming together; a good friend with Atma-Sphere OTL's and two years of my listening at his home and the fact that the amps are not flea powered by any means (mine, MA-1 MK2.3 Silver editions are 140w@8ohms and I'm driving 14ohm speakers) and the fact that I found an excellent deal on a demo pair through a great dealer on A'gon, I might still be SS myself. Not to try to sell you on tubes or Atma-Sphere yet, I find these amps handle the full musical range very completely. Their ability to give great textural detail in a solid lower registry is more than I have heard from a number of SS amps. Solid state is known for fast, rock solid bass and extended high end and in general tubes are not. Here is where Ralph’s OTL’s break all the rules. IMHO these amps leave nothing to be desired. They show lots of air, throw a great sound stage, very fast, pitch accurate, and highly detailed without being analytical at all. I find them just very musical and quite complete. The one caveat is that some speaker loads, I think 4ohm, cause difficulties and are not the best suited for pairing with these amps. Personally I know little of the compatibility problems, as I have no experience with trying to pair them.

Just a note about Jim White or for that matter Ralph Karsten equally, you would be hard pressed to find two more helpful and knowledgeable, true audiophile gentlemen if you tried. Read A’gon threads and I believe you will not find one curse word about either.

I do not have a tremendously varied background of experience as many on A’gon do with a plethora of various equipment. I have always listened carefully and long and then spent my money. As an example I have owned a Linn Sondek Lp12 TT since 1983 and don’t see the need to try a hundred other decks to figure out which flavor I like (this week). For you, and especially because this is my first tube foray and potentially my last due to the excellent quality of this equipment and excellent quality of support, I would not be the most unbiased and diversely knowledgeable for recommendations. I hope this longwinded explanation has been helpful.
Happy hunting and in the words of Elmer Fudd “Shhhhhh! Quiet, we’re hunting wabbit! Cheers!